The SkyTrain stations where passengers feel most anxious and insecure will get full-time uniformed patrols as TransLink unleashes a barrage of new measures to convince people it's safe to ride. The changes - which include plans to use police dogs and new ways to alert security to trouble - follow extensive consultations and the completion of two detailed studies on crime along SkyTrain. Rapid transit officials say the work has led them to conclude Transit Police must attack stations perceived as most dangerous even if actual crime stats don't bear that out. [continues 1251 words]
Thank you to members of the General Assembly and the Governor of Illinois for prioritizing and voting to restore funding for programs that address the diseases of substance abuse and alcoholism. By doing so, they have voted to save thousands of lives, save millions of taxpayer dollars in the long-run and capture more than $55 million in federal dollars. Since July, the State of Illinois had cut the budgets for drug and alcohol programs by a disproportionate 43 percent, leaving thousands of vulnerable people and families. Statistics show one in three families are impacted in some way. In the last few months the substance abuse industry, the large but once silent community afflicted with the disease, and constituents at large, galvanized to educate our legislature and the community about the past success of Illinois recovery programs that made these cuts, in essence, penny wise and pound-foolish. Illinois substance abuse successful protocols are being heralded as a National model. Illinois programs are showing improved results in mainstreaming those afflicted with a renewed sense of purpose, productivity and accountability to themselves and others. The funding benefits programs that studies show save $7 for every $1 spent on treatment. In addition, by voting to restore the budget for substance abuse the State of Illinois averted the loss of a dollar for dollar federal match. Well done. Vice President A Safe Haven Foundation Chicago [end]
Four Harvey police officers, 10 Cook County jail guards and a Chicago police officer have been charged with providing muscle for what they thought were major drug deals - but were really fake transactions that were part of an FBI sting. In one of the largest crackdowns on law enforcement officers in recent years, the FBI is accusing the officers of accepting between $400 and $4,000 each on one or more occasions to serve as lookouts and intervene if police or rival drug dealers attempted to interfere with shipments of cocaine and heroin. [continues 372 words]
Located in Vancouver, Insite is North America's first and only safe injection site. Since it opened in 2003, nearly 10,000 individuals have visited the facility to use drugs and receive access to health care services in the event of an overdose. But even today, some five years later, its existence is far from secure. The Harper government has been fighting through the courts to have the facility shut down, and recently appealed a B.C. court decision that allowed Insite to remain open, with the final ruling coming in April 2009. Below, two U1 students debate whether Insite's resources perpetuate drug addiction or lead addicts on a path to recovery. [continues 971 words]
In conjunction with several agencies in the Comox Valley, Cumberland Junior students will be exposed to substance abuse information presentations with particular regard to the situation at the present time in the Comox Valley. Calling the program 'Get Real', the presenters are looking to provide as much information as possible to the students. Mr. Maund, Principal, said he was very pleased to see the introduction of the program. "Awareness of substance abuse is a part of Health and Career Education and in conjunction with teachers, counsellor, youth and family support worker and our aboriginal aide we have decided to focus primarily on the use of marijuana. The idea is to educate our students to the dangers of its use and to give them a 'reality check'. During the week of December 8th - 12th we will have presentations, videos, and discussion groups looking at providing as much information as possible from a variety of sources. We had an excellent Crystal Meth presentation last week and we want to maintain the focus on the dangers of substance abuse in our community." Email to a friendPrinter friendlyFont: [continues 136 words]
The Royal Canadian Legion, Courtenay Branch 17, will introduce a drug safety and education program to local Grade 5 students. Branch 17 will have handbooks distributed to Grade 5 students by Const. Pierre Vezina of the Courtenay RCMP, the RCMP having already committed to drug education programs in the Courtenay schools. Each student will be presented with a copy of the 144-page handbook, Drug Safety, which is produced by Gateway Community Safety Net. The book is widely used to educate and increase awareness of substance abuse. [continues 122 words]
